Waratahs 2026
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If Horton can't make the top 4 hookers in the Waratahs squad I assume the Waratahs will be the best side in the comp.
He is perfectly capable & experienced. I wouldn't be confident if he was number one but he could do a job at 2 if they are developing someone to go past him in the next 12 - 24 months (or bringing someone over him to bump him down in 12 months).
He is perfectly capable & experienced. I wouldn't be confident if he was number one but he could do a job at 2 if they are developing someone to go past him in the next 12 - 24 months (or bringing someone over him to bump him down in 12 months).
I agree with all those things.
If you viewed him as being clearly above Dobbins for that number 2 role then sure, sign him for a year but if it's marginal then I don't really want a 28 year old as the third string player when we're lacking top end talent.
There needs to be a plan to end up with better top end talent at the position in a couple of years.
Homer
Charlie Fox (21)
With the limited space available to young guys it would be a terrible decision to go with journeyman around 30 years old. We need to bring some guys through in the system, even if they are mostly playing shield. get them into a full time professional environment. If there is a bunch of injuries turn to an old head to fill the squad.
Unfortunately Wes Thomas is no chance as Rats players do not get picked for the tahs, even if they win the premiership.
Unfortunately Wes Thomas is no chance as Rats players do not get picked for the tahs, even if they win the premiership.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
They've provided a few good Brumbies/Wallabies over the years though.
The Ghost of Raelene
John Eales (66)
Havent they. Fardy, Gerrard, McCabe, Reimer
He is likely to be available in April if we need him
Well Wes Thomas & Horton are the same age so taking a punt on Wes Thomas would be a hail mary.
They will not go into the season with four inexperienced hookers i.e Moananu, Dobbins & Oniti Finau (who is appearing on Waratahs unavailable lists).
Finau is obviously a long term plan, Moananu I assume will start & Dobbins well we don't even know if he is really up to it yet do we.
They need someone as a stop gap for a year or two so we don't get absolutely destroyed at set peice.
On these same sheets I have seen it seems Jack Grant has dropped off and Michael McDonald is on them.
The names they have are of which some are obviously in the Academy.
Jack Barrett
Austin Durbridge
Toby Brial
Hwi Sharples
Sid Harvey
Jackson Ropata
James Hendren
Otto Serfontein
Zach Fittler
Michael McDonald
(all available for Shute Shield this weekend).
Unavailable -
David Porecki (we know he is gone)
Jake Gordon (Wallabies)
Joseph Sua'ali'i (Wallabies)
Andrew Kellaway (Wallabies)
Max Jorgensen (Wallabies)
Charlie Gamble
Jamie Adamson
Jack Bowen
Archie Saunders
Triston Reilly
Lawson Creighton
Henry O'Donnell
Will Goddard (ACL Injury)
Miles Amatosero
Matt Philip (Uni out)
Leo Jacques
Apolosi Ranawai
Tom Lambert (Uni out)
Eamon Doyle (Uni out)
Oniti Finau
Ethan Dobbins (Uni out)
Leafi Talaitaina (Uni out)
Teddy Wilson
Joey Fowler (Uni out)
Joey Walton (Gordon out)
Dan Botha (Uni out)
Ben Grant (Uni out)
Sifa Amone
Isaac Kailea
Which drops the following players off the list from last season (some already announced)-
Adrian Brown
Angus Bell (Overseas)
Clem Halaholo
Darby Lancaster
Felix Kalapu
Fergus Lee Warner
Hugh Sinclair
Jack Grant
Julian Heaven (Overseas)
Lalakai Foketi (Overseas)
Langi Gleeson (Overseas)
Mahe Vailanu (Overseas)
Mesu Kunavula
Rob Leota (Overseas)
Tane Edmed (Brumbies)
Taniela Tupou (Overseas)
Last season they announced in the Super Rugby squad. I imagine
Austin Durbridge
Toby Brial
Hwi Sharples
Sid Harvey
Otto Serfontein
Zach Fittler
Will Goddard
Leo Jacques
Would all be EPS.
Eamon Doyle
Oniti Finau
Jackson Ropata
James Hendren
Might be upgraded?
Adrian Brown
Angus Bell (Overseas)
Clem Halaholo
Darby Lancaster
Felix Kalapu
Fergus Lee Warner
Hugh Sinclair
Jack Grant
Julian Heaven (Overseas)
Lalakai Foketi (Overseas)
Langi Gleeson (Overseas)
Mahe Vailanu (Overseas)
Mesu Kunavula
Rob Leota (Overseas)
Tane Edmed (Brumbies)
Taniela Tupou (Overseas)
Last season they announced in the Super Rugby squad. I imagine
Austin Durbridge
Toby Brial
Hwi Sharples
Sid Harvey
Otto Serfontein
Zach Fittler
Will Goddard
Leo Jacques
Would all be EPS.
Eamon Doyle
Oniti Finau
Jackson Ropata
James Hendren
Might be upgraded?
Cockatoo Run
Chris McKivat (8)
Eamon Doyle is contracted but apparently has injured his knee last week at training, has had surgery and is now out for 6 months.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
That'd be a good pick up for the Force but I'd be amazed if the tahs are letting him go having only just extended his deal through to 2027. Lee-Warner leaving again is a bit more understandable, though I thought they would've wanted to get another season out of him while the back row is changing over so much. Losing both at once in contract seems crazy though, even with Phillip and Blyth coming in.
Who is running the list management since Raiwailui moved on?
I would have thought he might be happy staying third string here as long as they'll have him and then retire.
Seems like he's well established in Sydney now and building a fashion label getting ready for what he does after rugby.
Major Tom
Colin Windon (37)
Need some revenue to help launch that fashion label.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
That makes a lot more sense